KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year
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BP points the finger at itself _ and others _ for oil spill; critics call report self-serving
Combative Obama insists on ending Bush-era tax cuts for nation's wealthiest; would keep others
At least 135 homes destroyed in Colorado wildfire; containment estimated at 10 percent
LA police hope to quell 3rd night of violence after officer's fatal shooting of knife man
Fed survey: More parts of country report slower growth as economy loses momentum
Toll of Colorado wildfire worsens as authorities look for 8 missing residents
Remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine flood northern Texas, killing at least 2; buffet Oklahoma
Official: Flooding from remnants of Hermine kills 1 in Texas; swamps city of Arlington
Detroit mayor defends response to 85 fires fanned by high winds, terms them 'natural disaster'
By The Associated Press
Merriam-Webster's annual Words of the Year dating to 2003, when the publisher started making the selection:
2009: Admonish - "to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner."
Extensively looked up after Rep. Joseph Wilson, R-South Carolina, was admonished for shouting "you lie" at President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress.
2008: Bailout - "A rescue from financial distress."
Selected by huge volume of lookups as Congress was considering $700 million bailout package for financial industry.
2007: W00t - "Expression of joy or triumph, or an obvious victory; abbreviation of 'We Owned the Other Team,' originating from computer-gaming subculture."
Selected as representative of new words, often whimsical and clever, emerging from new technology.
2006: Truthiness - "Truth that comes from the gut, not books." Popularized by Comedy Central satirist Stephen Colbert; selected as Word of the Year by Merriam-Webster's online users.
Picked as national political debates questioned what constitutes "truth," and whether it is subjective. Deemed by Merriam-Webster as a playful term for an important issue.
2005: Integrity - "Firm adherence to a code; incorruptibility."
Picked as national political discourse centered on integrity, and lack thereof, in public servants on national and local levels.
2004: Blog - "A Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. Short for Weblog."
Selected as it rocketed to prominence in midyear, driven by growth and popularity of blogs.
2003: Democracy - "Government by the people, especially: rule of the majority, or: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections."
Selected as one of the most frequently looked up words each year, especially in a campaign season preceding noteworthy elections.
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Source: Merriam-Webster.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
